The peaceful protest staged by traders in Taxila against the orders to close markets even during the Eid season amid the coronavirus pandemic turned ugly as police resorted to using brute force, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Friday.

It’s the last day before Eidul Azha and that’s why the traders had opened their shops with a hope that they would be able to make some income. But the police forced them to shut their businesses, resulting in a protest.

But when the police started arresting the traders and pointed guns at them, the protest got violent and triggered clashes, which spread across the city.

At least 20 traders have been arrested so far and more contingents of police called in as the situation is worsening with clashes erupting in different areas.

Last week, the Punjab government had issued a notification which says all the markets in the province will remain closed till August 5 in attempt to avoid the situation faced after Eidul Fitr.

The opening of markets for Eidul Fitr had caused an alarming rise in the coronavirus cases and deaths in the following days and weeks.

It is interesting to note that Prime Minister Imran Khan has been attacking Sindh for advocating lockdown and forced the PPP-led provincial government to change the strategy. But it is his own party in Punjab which opted to closure of markets during the Eid season in Punjab.